Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

April 3, 1859 in Middletown, CT

Death

:

January 16, 1920 in Chicago, IL

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Reginald de Koven was an American composer, conductor, and music critic who was born on April 3, 1859, in Middletown, Connecticut. He was the son of a wealthy businessman, and his family was well-connected in the social circles of New York City. De Koven showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. He later studied music at the University of Berlin and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Stuttgart. De Koven's early compositions were influenced by the German Romantic tradition, but he later developed a style that was uniquely American. He was particularly interested in the music of Stephen Foster and other American folk songs, and he incorporated these elements into his own compositions. De Koven's first major success came in 1884 with the production of his operetta "Robin Hood" in Chicago. The show was a hit and was later produced in New York City and London. De Koven went on to compose a number of successful operettas, including "The Begum" (1887), "The Fencing Master" (1892), and "The Highwayman" (1897). He also wrote a number of songs and choral works, including "Oh Promise Me," which became one of the most popular songs of the early 20th century. In addition to his work as a composer, de Koven was also a respected conductor and music critic. He conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, and he wrote music criticism for the New York World and other publications. De Koven's later years were marked by personal tragedy. His wife died in 1906, and his son was killed in World War I. De Koven himself died on January 16, 1920, in Chicago. Despite his success as a composer, de Koven's music fell out of favor in the years following his death. However, in recent years there has been renewed interest in his work, and his operettas have been revived in productions around the world. De Koven's contributions to American music are significant, and his legacy continues to be celebrated by music lovers and scholars alike.

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